Looking for some suggestions on replacing the butt pad on my 300 Savage M81. I have had the rifle for several years now and its a great shooter/hunter but the butt pad installed on it has deteriorated to the point it needs to be replaced. I really don't want to replace the butt stock itself as I kind of like the original GPS system its previous owner installed in it. To me the rifle is a shooter and hunting tool from the past so I am not worried about things being factory correct but it would be nice to have a pad that actually works. If any one knows of a more or less good fitting unit that I could install I would appreciate hearing about it.

I really like the Limbsavers, they do work well. They come as slip on or permanent, too. I've one in medium that fits our Ladies well; it always goes to range. Pachmayr makes several that are really period correct if you are more of a purist.

Good info from Phyrbird. Don`t know what your level of experience is but any of the pads will require fitting to your rifle. I have installed many of the brands including those mentioned by Carl. In my experience "Hogue"

You will need a grinder. I use an old Sears belt sander with 100 grit mounted in a vise. A pad installation tool available at Brownells and Midway is nice to have but not completely necessary. It serves to give the correct angles at top and heel of the pad. I usually just mount the pad to the stock and use a straight edge to mark the angle lines.If you are unsure of procedure there are several good videos on utube of how to do it. I think good ole Larry Potterfield has one on the Midaway USA site.
Joe

".......ain't many troubles that a man cain't fix
With seven hundred dollars and a thirty ought six."

I know this original post is nearing a year old, but hey, for anyone not previously seeing it, it can be new and/or needed information. I obtain a lot of info from old posts, especially for being a newbie/year old 81 owner and shooter. Anyway, reference Phyrbird's post on the Limbsaver slip-on recoil pads, I tried the Limbsaver brand on both of my 300 Savage 81's and the Limbsavers worked 110%. I bought both the medium and large size to see what fit best and also wanted to see what fit on my collection of US military rifles spanning the 1900's-the Garand's. Also some Brit Enfields, German K98k's, and Russian Mosin's. The medium fit everything best I tried it on. The large just had a hint of sloppiness when trying it for fit on everything. Took the large back and exchanged for another medium, never fired any rifle with it on.

The Limbsaver pad really cut down the felt recoil and didn't add any noticeable length of pull problems when firing. Recoil doesn't bother me a whole lot yet, except during the warm months of North Iowa when firing with nothing but a t-shirt style top on and mostly with more of the milspec style ammo I may load or the factory European stuff I've bought for K98's and Mosin-Nagan's (that stuff can pack a punch-when it's gone my reloads will reign). I cast lead bullets, using gas checks for my military style rifles with reduced powder loads that are just as much fun to shoot as regular milspec loadings, cheaper to shoot and don't beat ya to death. Have yet to try in my 300 Savage 81's. Have to try this summer, should work as long as the power is there to cycle the action. Give two thumbs up and five stars to the Limbsaver ship-on pads. I don't like the looks of some of the permanent pads on these older rifles, destroys the looks and value.

U R welcome R'man,
I like the slip ons because they require no mods to a stock. Plus it's really easy to throw one or two sizes in the pack with the muffs & safety glasses for a trip to the range... Of course in the pack means they won't mark-up the stock like many I've seen in the last 10 years, I have a dislike for the old Redhead versions for that reason...

Just as a update-several days ago I shot some rounds without the Limbsaver on my 81 300 Savage, then with it on, then off, then with it back on. Final thoughts-----Will shoot it from now on with the Limbsaver ON!!!! Big difference. One of the best accessories I've ever purchased for shootin!